Category: Local Events

STUDIO VISIT MEMBER MEET-UP

10/5/2025

MEMBER MEET-UP
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 2025 | 10AM-12:30PM
JUDITH GOODMAN AND ELAINE ROBINSON STUDIO VISITS
Silver Spring and CHEVY CHASE, MD

Join JRACraft members for two-part studio visit in Silver Spring and Chevy Chase, MD! At 10am, the first hour-long studio visit will feature Elaine Robnett. After Elaine's studio visit, the member meet-up continues to visit the studio of Judith Goodman from 11:30am-12:30pm. All attendees are invited to join a no-host lunch after the second studio tour. Studio addresses will be shared to registrants after registration is submitted.

Elaine Robnett Moore will showcase her family's legacy of creativity through a tour of her Ancestors Wall as well as her Wall of Beads. She will discuss a few of her featured works and tell the stories behind each piece, answer questions, and offer a live demo of her techniques.

Judith Goodman's studio visit will begin in her home and then proceed to her sculpture studio in the garden behind her home to see both finished work and work in progress. During the studio visit, members will hear about her process and how she uses pieces from her collection of diverse items in her work.

Elaine robnett moore

Elaine Robnett Moore is a fifth-generation artist and award-winning jewelry designer/maker, descended from Alexander Dumas, renowned for her bold, contemporary approach to design. Fusing tradition and storytelling with innovation, she creates bold, elegant pieces using unconventional materials and masterful beadwork. Her work has been exhibited globally—from North America, the Caribbean, and Europe to Africa and Asia. A Fulbright Specialist and author of The Art of Bead Stringing: Artist to Entrepreneur, Elaine is also a master teacher on faculty at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus in Maryland, and a former president of The Bead Society of Greater Washington. Her jewelry celebrates heritage, creativity, and the transformative power of adornment.

JUDITH GOODMAN

After many years as a commercial and fine art photographer, Judith became interested in making sculpture as a way to move her images into three dimensions. From there the natural progression involved finding beauty and intensity in objects beyond their original purpose. The work is emotionally, rather than intellectually, inspired. Much of it has been influenced by recent wars and degradation of the climate. The assemblages are fragmented narratives illustrating the frailty of recollection. They are incongruous: mixing scale, texture, natural and manmade elements that have exceeded their useful life and progressed to another state.

Elaine Robnett Moore

Elaine Robnett Moore, Michelle Obama

Judith Goodman

Judith Goodman's studio

Judith Goodman, Inviting Extinction

MEET THE MAKER MEMBER MEET UP

5/17/2025

MEET THE MAKER MEMBER MEET UP
35th BIENNIAL CREATIVE CRAFTS EXHIBITION
MANSION AT STRATHMORE
10701 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD
SATURDAY MAY 17 | 11AM - 2 PM ET
IN PERSON

Join us for a Meet the Maker member meet up at the 35th Biennial Creative Crafts Exhibition at the Mansion at Strathmore! Don't miss this opportunity to see the exhibition before it closes on May 24th and meet some of the JRACraft artists whose work is featured in this exhibition. JRACraft's artist members will discuss their process and bring examples of their art to illustrate their process. This event will feature:

Kanika Sircar (fiber)
Kevin Hluch (ceramics)
Dominie Nash (fiber)
Rebecca Ravenal (mixed media, ceramics, mosaic)
Joseph Barnard (wood)
Hillary Steel (textiles)

All work is available for sale and the exhibition is free and open to the public.

The Creative Crafts Council is an umbrella organization of fine craft guilds that sponsors a juried biennial exhibition of regional fine craft artists at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland and supports and promotes craft-making across Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The first Biennial Exhibition in 1954 and the next five were held in the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History. Since then, the Exhibition has been held at museums and galleries throughout the region, and since 1988 it has been held at the Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda, Maryland.

TED LOTT

3/1/2025

DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES WITH ted lott
online ARTIST TALK AND in-person DEMONSTRATION
february 25 & march 1, 2025

JRACraft has partnered with Heurich House Museum to present artist Ted Lott, for the third and final program in this season's Distinguished Artist Series.

Register below to join us for a virtual artist talk on Tuesday, February 25, where Lott will discuss his career and influences. Later that week on Saturday March 1, meet Lott at the Heurich House Museum for a live demonstration to discover the techniques and process behind his wood sculpture. The demonstration will be followed by an exclusive guided tour of Heurich House led by JRACraft member and decorative arts historian Oscar Fitzgerald.

About Ted Lott

Lott is a craftsperson, designer and artist whose work revolves around the history of wood in material culture and architecture. With his diminutive architectural creations, he honors the logic and engineering brilliance of traditional construction methods of wood dwellings.

Lott has been an Artist-In-Residence at Anderson Ranch Art Center, Kohler Arts/Industry Program, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Center for Turning & Furniture Design, and the Vermont Studio Center. He has taught Woodworking & Furniture Design at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Murray State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and teaches workshops throughout the United States.

ARTIST TALK (ONLINE ONLY)

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 1pm - 2pm Eastern
Free and open to the public | Hosted on Zoom

Learn about Ted Lott's career and influences in this online program.

DEMONSTRATION (IN PERSON ONLY)

Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 10am - 12pm
Hosted at Heurich House Museum |1307 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC, 20036

Meet Ted Lott and watch him demonstrate his techniques, with the opportunity to see one of his finished works in-person! After his demonstration, join JRACraft member and decorative arts historian Oscar Fitzgerald for a guided tour of Heurich House Museum with a special focus on craft and preservation in Heurich House.

$50 Members of JRACraft, Hillwood, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, or Heurich House Museum
$60 Non-members

thank you to our partner:

ACC BALTIMORE MEET UP

2/21/2025

ACC AMERICAN CRAFT MADE BALTIMORE
JRACRAFT MEMBER MEET UP
friday February 21, 2025 | 2pm et
baltimore convention center
in-person | Member-only

Join us at the American Craft Council's American Craft Made Baltimore, the largest juried craft fair on the East coast! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with more than 400 artists and makers from across the country, watch demonstrations, talks, and hands-on experiences.

JRACraft members enjoy a 50% discount on all tickets. To receive the discount code, please reach out to [email protected].

JRACraft members will meet at 2pm in the Members Lounge, located inside the show. Refreshments will be provided.

registration FOR THE MEETUP IS FREE & HIGHLY ENCOURAGED

can't make it to the member meetup?

explore american craft made baltimore
friday february 21 | 10am-6pm et
saturday february 22 | 10am-6pm et
sunday february 23 | 11am-5pm et

Can't make it to the member meet up on Friday? Attend American Craft Made Baltimore on another day and enjoy the numerous events and experiences from Friday, February 21, through Sunday, February 23!

Participate in fun and educational activities and demonstrations led by local arts organizations and community partners in the Let’s Make! experience.

American Craft Made Baltimore 2025 will take place in Swing Hall and Halls F–G of the Baltimore Convention Center. Visitors will enter through the Otterbein Lobby, Level 100. For returning visitors, this was the location of the 2023 event.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN CRAFT MADE BALTIMORE & PLAN YOUR TRIP TODAY!

DIRK JOSEPH

1/26/2025

DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES
WITH DIRK JOSEPH
online ARTIST TALK AND in-person DEMONSTRATION
January 21 & January 25, 2025

JRACraft has partnered with Pyramid Atlantic Art Center to present artist Dirk Joseph, for the second program in our Distinguished Artist Series.

Dirk depicts the sacred and natural worlds, using wood and recycled paper fiber to create low relief wall sculptures. Join us for a virtual artist talk where he will share his inspiration and motivations for creating. Later that week, meet in person for a live demonstration where you will see the full process of how he brings his meticulous paper sculptures to life.

About Dirk
Dirk Joseph is a Baltimore based multimedia artist and arts educator. In the last decade he has developed a sculpting technique using wood and recycled paper fiber to create low relief wall sculptures. In 2016 he founded String Theory Theater, a puppetry troupe in which he performs with his daughters.

Dirk was born in Trinidad, and raised in New York. For the last 30 years he has worked as a visual artist, art educator, performing artist (puppetry and theater), and a graphic designer.

artist talk (online only)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 1pm - 2pm Eastern
Free and open to the public | Hosted on Zoom
Hear Dirk speak about his career and influences on his work with bas-relief paper sculpture.

demonstration (in person only)

Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 10:30am - 12:30pm (Please note later start time for this event)
Hosted at Pyramid Atlantic
4318 Gallatin St, Hyattsville, MD 20781
$50 Member price: For members of JRACraft, Hillwood, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, or Heurich House Museum.
$60 Non-members

Thank you to our partner:

THE 17TH ANNUAL JRACRAFT DAY

12/7/2024

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024
10:00am - 5:00pm
The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase
7931 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
IN-Person evenT

Visit us in December for the sweetest little art fair in the DC area. JRACraft Day is a showcase and sale featuring artists who are members of the James Renwick Alliance for Craft. Featuring 43 (36 returning JRACraft Day artists and 7 new artists, marked with *) artists in a variety of medium such as wood, ceramics, glass, fiber and metal. Support craft artists and find something unique and handmade for yourself or your loved ones at the start of the holiday season. See the list of participating artist below and on www.jracraftday.org/

Debra Adelson
Joseph Barnard
Barbara Lynn Bechthold
Ellen Cohen
Elyse Demaray
Eileen Doughty
Eileen Egan
Nora Fischer
Floris Flam
Jason Goldman*
Shinobu Habauchi*
Thomas Herman*
Margaret Hluch
Kevin Hluch
Cara Jablon
Carl Johnson
Alice Kresse
Laurel Lukaszewski
Mara Mayor
Cristina Montero*
Page Morahan

Carol Oshinsky*
Catherine O’Sullivan
Margaret Polcawich
Rebecca Ravenal
Wendy Ross
Jill Ross Meltzer
Jeanette Ryan
Carol Samour
Catherine Satterlee
Peggy Shiffrin
Kanika Sircar
Laurie Madsen Snarr
Jan Solomon
Hillary Steel
Candace Stribling
Laura Summer
Ana Tkabladze*
Shamaka Thompson
Estelle Vernon
Karen Wallace*
Richard Webster
Sandra Zacharia

volunteers

JRACraft Day does not come together without our volunteers! We are looking for people who can spare a few hours to help us this year.

Volunteer activities include assisting with moving furniture, setting up tables, posting signs outside, greeting guests, assisting with the membership table, artist relief, retrieving signs, take down, and clean up. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact [email protected]. We hope to see you at JRACraft Day!

jracraft day
sponsorship

Our sponsors support the James Renwick Alliance for Craft and help make JRACraft Day possible. Sponsors are listed on the website and thanked at the event. Sponsorship is a $100 donation and is fully tax deductible.

thank you to our sponsors!

J.G. Harrington & Jere Gibber
Anne Swanson
Barbara Wolanin
Janice & Harvey Berger
Kristin Muller
Rebecca & Gary Stevens
Andrea & Joe Uravitch
Ana Maria Castro
Clemmer Montague
Gwen & Jerry Paulson
Carol Green
Brenda Erickson
Betsy Holland
Pati Young

Stacy Sklaver
Jackie Urow
Marsha Gold
Reba Immergut
Marilyn Hardis
Geraldine Ostrove
Susan Sanders
Anne Mehringer
CERF+
Craig Edelbrock
Bonnie Schwartz
Richard Witt
Linda & John Hillman
Michele Manatt

CAUCUS MEMBERS' AFTERNOON

11/10/2024

TOUR OF JUDY WEISMAN'S PRIVATE COLLECTION
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2024 | 2PM - 4PM
RESERVED FOR CAUCUS MEMBERS ONLY
$35 PER PERSON

JRACraft Caucus Members are invited to have the first opportunity to view the recently renovated apartment of Judy Weisman. Judy is a national leader in designing interiors which highlight fine art and craft collections and has both lectured and juried in the field of contemporary craft.

Judy will discuss the overall design of the apartment and the challenges that she encountered with a smaller space and two young, curious grandchildren. Her holdings include a combs piece by Sonya Clark, one of the last wall pieces by Ruth Duckworth, a commissioned table by studio furniture maker Peter Pierobon, and a black metal coffee table by Albert Paley. Her contemporary British ceramic collection is considered to be one of the finest outside of Great Britain. She will also touch on issues regarding the de-accessioning of such fine craft pieces.

This tour is now full

Tour and Tea will be limited to the first 20 Caucus members.

This event was chaired by Caucus Member Aletta Schaap.

registration is closed

COURTNEY MATTISON

10/26/2024

DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES WITH Courtney mattison
online ARTIST TALK AND in-person DEMONSTRATION
OCTOBER 22 & OCTOBER 26, 2024

JRACraft has partnered with the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens to present ceramicist Courtney Mattison, for the first program in this year's Distinguished Artist Series.

Internationally recognized artist and ocean advocate Courtney Mattison hand-crafts intricate and large-scale ceramic sculptural works that visualize climate change through the fragile beauty of marine life. Her background in ocean conservation science and policy informs her art practice.

Mattison’s site-specific work has been commissioned for permanent installation in hospitality, institutional, workplace, retail and residential settings across the U.S., Europe and Asia, and her exhibition history includes solo shows at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and ICA San Diego/North, where she was Artist in Residence. Her work has also been featured on the covers of American Craft, Nature,Beaux Arts and Brown Alumni magazines, and by Smithsonian Magazine, Good Morning America, Oprah Magazine and BBC World Service. She lives and works in San Francisco.

ARTIST TALK (ONLINE ONLY)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 1pm - 2pm ET
Free and open to the public | Hosted on Zoom

Learn about Mattison's career and influences in this online program.

LECTURE & ARTIST EXHIBITION VISIT (IN PERSON ONLY)

Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 10am - 12pm
$50 Members price: For members of JRACraft, Hillwood, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, or Heurich House Museum.
$60 Non-members

PROGRAM TIMELINE

10:00 AM Lecture by Courtney Mattison in the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center Theater.
11:00 AM Visit the Fragile Beatuy: Art of the Ocean exhibition with Hillwood Curator Wilfried Zeisler and Courtney Mattison.
12:00 PM Explore Hillwood Museum and Gardens on your own. Your event ticket includes complimentary pass to visit all of Hillwood's gardens and exhibitions on display.

thank you to our partner:

register today!

ARTOMATIC TOUR

3/24/2024

sUNDAY, MARCH 24 | 1PM - 3PM
2100 M ST NW, 5TH FLOOR | WASHINGTON dc
IN PERSON EVENT

JRACraft members are encouraged to invite a friend for an exclusive tour of Artomatic on Sunday, March 24th! Artomatic transforms vacant spaces into a sprawling showcase for artists and performers in an expansive, one-of-a-kind art happening, marking its 25th year in DC.

Located at 2100 M St, NW, just a short walk from the Dupont Circle Metro, this year’s venue spans over 500,000 square feet featuring over 1,000 artists and performers. Particularly noteworthy is the abundance of material-specific works, so if you like fine crafted or material work, this is the Artomatic for you!

To help you navigate this year’s Artomatic, JRACraft is excited to offer a guided tour led by Tim Tate from the Washington Glass School, alongside Rebecca Ravenal, Board Chair of JRACraft, who will give a welcome. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to vote for the JRACraft’s “People’s Choice” award, which recognizes outstanding material-based artists.

Come help us pick the craft leaders of tomorrow! New members joining on the day will receive a 20% discount on their membership fee, so we encourage you to bring a friend (or two). Join JRACraft in celebrating and shaping the future leaders of craft art in the DMV!

Parking: Street parking is free on Sundays, or alternative options include nearby garages, Uber, or the Metro. Enter the building via the 21st Street entrance, across from the Medstar / Lafayette Square building.

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STUDIO VISIT MEMBER MEET-UP

MEET THE MAKER MEMBER MEET UP

TED LOTT

ACC BALTIMORE MEET UP

can't make it to the member meetup?

DIRK JOSEPH

THE 17TH ANNUAL JRACRAFT DAY

volunteers

jracraft day
sponsorship

CAUCUS MEMBERS' AFTERNOON

registration is closed

COURTNEY MATTISON

register today!

ARTOMATIC TOUR

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